My war hero son was the bravest, so why do sick thugs keep desecrating his grave?

Brave Stephen Monkhouse died helping a comrade in Afghanistan, but now his final resting place is being repeatedly targetted by thieves and morons.

The grave of a Scots war hero hailed as "the bravest ever" has been repeatedly desecrated by vandals.

They have targeted the resting place of Lance Corporal Stephen Monkhouse, who died last year trying to save a colleague in Afghanistan.

His valour earned him a posthumous Military Cross, the third highest honour awarded to British soldiers.

At his funeral, Major Ian Gwynne, of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, said he was "the bravest Scots Guard I ever saw in the field".

Thieves stole lights placed at Stephen's grave at Knocknairshill Cemetery near his home in Greenock, Renfrewshire.

And twice they took personal items put there by his mum Linda Watt.

Linda, 50, who visits most days, said: "I'm devastated by this. It's obvious that the grave belongs to a soldier but nothing is sacred to some people.

"We suspect that this has been done by local youngsters who have been drinking over the weekend. We just want it to stop.

"The thought of them creeping around and putting their hands on stuff that is sacred to Stephen's family or to other families is distressing.

"These people have no respect."

Linda spends her time at Stephen's graveside talking to him and ensuring the plot is kept impeccably.

The £50 lights, which store solar power and shine in alternating colours in the evening, were first stolen on May 24. Linda replaced one the following day but discovered it had been taken on Sunday night.

Gunner Stephen, 28, was killed while on patrol in Lashkar Gah district in Helmand province when a colleague was injured by insurgents.

Stephen and Corporal Matthew James Stenton tried to help but came under heavy fire and were killed.

The pair had manoeuvred their vehicle to block fire on an injured colleague and manned their guns, despite the danger.

Stephen's brother Alan, 25, who is considering an Army career, said: "It makes me sick to the stomach to think of anyone stealing from his graveside."

Stephen's family members will travel to Buckingham Palace on June 28 to receive his Military Cross, which will be given to his son Brandon.

Just minutes before he died, Stephen told colleagues how much he was looking forward to getting home to see Brandon.

A police spokeswoman said: "We have received a complaint, which we are investigating."